The History Of Ealdormere, part 1 and 2

Also that Spring saw the Waters arise

And shoulder a Barony's share

Jeweled the Cup that was served by the wise

Who would counsel the people with care

Steadfast the Princes who hailed from the South

But brief would that mantle be worn

Ruled by the spinning of Destiny's thread

They would soon have a Northerner-born

The last of the Southron, the Otter and Briar

Saw Ealdormere prove its worth

Sagely they called for a Tournament Grand

To determine the Prince of the North

A new Knight defeated the Champion of old

With Prowess both nimble and sure

Certain they were upon seeing his face

That the Line of the North was secure.

For tall stood the Prince with the grace of a Stag

And the heart of a courtier born

Steady the gaze of the Evening Swan

Who first lit the skies of the North

Together they stood for the peace of the land

And prosperity followed their reign

Heavy the cloak they were given to wear

But golden the hem of its train.

So Ealdormere's Wolves took their place in the world

Where the Falcons had once their roost

Scarlet would march with the purple and gold

When the arrows of battle were loosed

Precious the gifts wrought of silver and song

That were given as pledges sincere

Twinned were the spirits of Ealdormere's throng

With the warriors of far Calontir

Singing they joined in the thundering host

That fought for the Midrealm Kings

Fearless the might of the Wolfpack at war

With the valor that leadership brings

Sharp were the blades of the triple-edged flower

That struck its foes down where they stood

Fierce was the light of the Heaven's red eye

When the fields were the scarlet of blood

Brilliant, the Warrior watched from the sky

And the pride in her gaze was felt

Bright would the Princes and Princesses shine

Like the points of the stars in her belt

Warm was the frolicking zephyr of change

That traded old faces for new

Right was the day when an honour was done

And the White rose was given her due.

The wise Calontiri gave Ealdormere's Bards

A test of a verse to sing

And so did the War Prince receive for their words

A weapon more fit for a king

Deeper the friendships within and without

Though challenge and contest were rife

The Ram and the Tower stood forth from the Shires

And the Baronies' Banners were Five

Upon this foundation their arms would reach wide

And the Northrealm would leave it's mark

Powerful Monarchs would sail with the tide

And would shine like a flame in the dark

Ealdormere's people were giving and Kind

Each head of pavilion or hall

Had no greater pride for a stranger or friend

But to give them their best and their all

So Ealdormere grew to a thoroughbred's strength

From the first eager steps of a colt

The needs of a Kingdom were pondered at length

And none could find Ealdormere's fault

Officers, artisans, wisdom and youth

And nobles of every degree,

Women and men full of chivalry's grace

Who could lead them in war and in peace

The oldest of Councils held court in the West

And as law was their word of assent

Respectful the terms of the Northrealm's request

And it's finest ambassadors sent

Deeply the Elders considered the suit

And the winds brought the breathless report

Joyful the bell-song tat pealed through the land

With the voice of the Council's support

Like bees in the summer, the fever took hold

For much there was yet to be done

The newest of nobles joined Shirefolk of old

In their dreams of a future to come

The humblest peasant stood equal to Peer

As the shape of their work was revealed

Surely the mightiest keep had been built

From the stones that were found in the field

And so came the day when the doors were thrown wide

To the wondrous hall they built

Drawn like a river they gathered inside

'Til the greatest of chambers was filled

Eyes were drawn upward and whispers were hushed

At the sight of the scarlet-draped throne

Their dream in fruition, the moment at hand

For a King and a Queen of their own

In song-softened silence the populace stood

And the will of the land intoned

Sweet was the harvest that grew from the past

When the seeds of the future were sown

Soft was the shining of Ealdormere's eyes

Who gathered to witness a birth

Bright was the legacy's circle that passed

From the first to the last to the first

And so,

First is the wolf,

and the Wilds

and the Will

And the Rule

of the Northrealm King.